Housing Pattern of Nicobar Tribes- Before And After Tsunami

Abstract

One third of the world's tribal and indigenous population, that is, over 104 million tribal people live in India (8.6%). The Nicobarese, who are of Mongloid Stock are a large population of over 27,000. The earthquake and tsunami in 2004 has had impact not only on the human lives but also on material culture. Soon after this tragedy, the islands are inundated with many developmental programmes with the initiation of international and national voluntary agencies and government in the name of rehabilitation and resettlement. The present paper attempts to highlight the significance of traditional housing pattern of Nicobar tribes and their rehabilitation of the lives of the Nicobarese and the consequences of modern development in post tsunami. The study also attempted to know how the modern developmental programmes are transforming the traditional life of the natives and eventual impact on the loss of indigenous knowledge.